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Solar Irradiation (solar + irradiation)
Selected AbstractsGlycolic Acid Treatment Increases Type I Collagen mRNA and Hyaluronic Acid Content of Human SkinDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2001Eric F. Bernstein MD Background. Chronic solar irradiation results in both morphologic and functional changes in affected skin. ,-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, have been shown to improve photodamaged skin. Objective. To investigate alterations in collagen gene induction and epidermal and dermal hyaluronic acid production as a result of administered glycolic acid. Methods. In this study we compared collagen gene expression from skin biopsy specimens, and epidermal and dermal hyaluronic acid immunohistochemical staining between glycolic acid-treated and vehicle-treated skin. Forearm skin was treated with 20% glycolic acid lotion or a lotion vehicle control twice a day for 3 months. Results. Epidermal and dermal hyaluronic acid and collagen gene expression were all increased in glycolic acid-treated skin as compared to vehicle-treated controls. Conclusion. Our data suggest that epidermal and dermal remodeling of the extracellular matrix results from glycolic acid treatment. Longer treatment intervals may result in collagen deposition as suggested by the measured increase in mRNA. [source] Deficit in community species richness as explained by area and isolation of sitesDIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 3 2000Hans Henrik Bruun Abstract .,The potential community species richness was predicted for 85 patches of seminatural grassland in an agricultural landscape in Denmark. The basis of the prediction was a very large dataset on the vegetation, soil pH and topography in Danish grasslands and related communities. Species were inserted into potential species pools according to their preferences regarding soil acidity and water availability (expressed as potential solar irradiation), and to the ranges in these two factors observed in each grassland patch. The difference between the predicted and the observed patch-level species richness, community richness deficit, varied considerably among patches. Community richness deficit exhibited a negative relationship with patch area, and for small patches a positive relationship with patch isolation. [source] Aquatic photochemistry of chlorinated triclosan derivatives: Potential source of polychlorodibenzo- P -dioxins,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2009Jeffrey M. Buth Abstract Triclosan (TCS; 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol), a common antimicrobial agent, may react with residual chlorine in tap water during transport to wastewater treatment plants or during chlorine disinfection of wastewater, generating chlorinated TCS derivatives (CTDs): 4,5-dichloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (4-Cl-TCS), 5,6-dichloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (6-C1-TCS), and 4,5,6-trichloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (4,6-Cl-TCS). The photochemistry of CTDs was investigated due to the potential formation of polychlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (PCDD) photoproducts. Photolysis rates were highly dependent upon CTD speciation, because the phenolate species degraded 44 to 586 times faster than the phenol forms. Photolysis quantum yield values for TCS, 4-Cl-TCS, 6-Cl-TCS, and 4,6-Cl-TCS of 0.39, 0.07, 0.29, and 0.05, respectively, were determined for the phenolate species. Photolyses performed in Mississippi River and Lake Josephine (USA) waters gave similar quantum yields as buffered, pure water at the same pH, indicating that indirect photolysis processes involving photosensitization of dissolved organic matter are not competitive with direct photolysis. The photochemical conversion of the three CTDs to PCDDs under solar irradiation was confirmed in natural and buffered, pure water at yields of 0.5 to 2.5%. The CTD-derived PCDDs possess higher toxicities than 2,8-dichlorodibenzo- p -dioxin, a previously identified photoproduct of TCS, due to their higher chlorine substitution in the lateral positions. The load of TCS- and CTD-derived PCDDs to United States surface waters is estimated to be between 46 and 92 g toxicity equivalent units per year. Other identified photoproducts of each CTD were 2,4-dichlorophenol and reductive dechlorination products. [source] Lipid biomarkers, pigments and cyanobacterial diversity of microbial mats across intertidal flats of the arid coast of the Arabian Gulf (Abu Dhabi, UAE)FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Raeid M.M. Abed Abstract Variations in morphology, fatty acids, pigments and cyanobacterial community composition were studied in microbial mats across intertidal flats of the arid Arabian Gulf coast. These mats experience combined extreme conditions of salinity, temperature, UV radiation and desiccation depending on their tidal position. Different mat forms were observed depending on the topology of the coast and location. The mats contained 63 fatty acids in different proportions. The increased amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (12,39%) and the trans/cis ratio (0.6,1.6%) of the cyanobacterial fatty acid n- 18:1,9 in the higher tidal mats suggested an adaptation of the mat microorganisms to environmental stress. Chlorophyll a concentrations suggested lower cyanobacterial abundance in the higher than in the lower intertidal mats. Scytonemin concentrations were dependent on the increase in solar irradiation, salinity and desiccation. The mats showed richness in cyanobacterial species, with Microcoleus chthonoplastes and Lyngbya aestuarii morphotypes as the dominant cyanobacteria. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis patterns suggested shifts in the cyanobacterial community dependent on drainage efficiency and salinity from lower to higher tidal zones. We conclude that the topology of the coast and the variable extreme environmental conditions across the tidal flat determine the distribution of microbial mats as well as the presence or absence of different microorganisms. [source] Adaptive repetitive control for resonance cancellation of a distributed solar collector fieldINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 4 2009J. D. Álvarez Abstract This paper deals with modelling and control of the outlet temperature in a distributed solar collector field. The resonance dynamics characteristics of this kind of system are similar to those of tubular heat exchangers in the closed-loop system bandwidth when fast responses are required. Simple low-order rational models are unable to capture the resonance dynamics, which can be excited by changes in both the heat transfer fluid flow and solar irradiation. This paper proposes a new model derived from a similar model for a tubular heat exchanger. This model allows the use of low-order controllers, which can be extended to an adaptive control scheme to account for varying resonance frequencies, as a new functionality achieving fast, well-damped responses. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] UV and global solar radiation in ,ód,, Central PolandINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Agnieszka Podstawczy Abstract With the overall aim of quantifying urban atmospheric effects on different parts of the solar spectrum, a multi year analysis of data collected at ,ód, was undertaken. UV (290,400 nm) and global solar radiation measured by means of a Kipp and Zonen CUV3 radiometer and a Kipp and Zonen CM11 pyranometer in the center of ,ód, between 1997 and 2001 are analysed. The mean annual sum of global and UV solar radiation equaled 3710.8 MJ m,2 and 154.1 MJ m,2, respectively. The minimum monthly total of solar energy occurred in December (48.7 M Jm,2,global; 2.1 MJ m,2,UV); however, the maximum monthly total occurred atypically in May (620.9 MJ m,2,global; 25.3 MJ m,2,UV). UV clearness index (Kuv) is approximately half of the clearness index of the global solar radiation, indicating greater attenuation of that part of the spectrum (Kuv 0.14 in December to 0.26 in May). A linear regression model was fitted to the daily values of UV and global (g) solar irradiation (Duv = a + Dgb). The slope coefficient b and the coefficient of determination equal 0.039 and 0.98, respectively. Cloudiness exerts an important control on the solar radiation flux at the ground level and for the relation between UV and global solar radiation. The convective clouds caused an increase of global and UV solar irradiance by about 10,20% compared to clear days, the enhancement resulting from reflections. On clear days, UV comprises 3.3,4% of global solar irradiance (10-min values) on average, while during cloudy weather it increases to 8%. The results presented have implications for understanding the radiative transfer of UV and global solar radiation in the atmosphere over an urban area and the influence of clouds on transmission of solar radiation flux. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Ablative heat transfer in a shrinking packed-bed of ZnO undergoing solar thermal dissociationAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 7 2009L. O. Schunk Abstract A transient heat transfer model is formulated for a shrinking packed-bed of reacting ZnO particles exposed to concentrated solar irradiation. The model combines conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer with simultaneous sintering and reaction kinetics. Validation is accomplished in terms of temperatures and dissociation rates experimentally measured using a solar-driven thermogravimeter with ZnO packed-bed samples subjected to solar flux concentration ratios in the range 1225,2133 suns and surface temperatures in the range 1834,2109 K. Operating conditions are typical of an ablation regime controlled by the rate of radiative heat transfer to the first layers of ZnO undergoing endothermic dissociation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Kinetics of the thermal dissociation of ZnO exposed to concentrated solar irradiation using a solar-driven thermogravimeter in the 1800,2100 K rangeAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009Lothar O. Schunk Abstract The two-step H2O-splitting thermochemical cycle based on the Zn/ZnO redox reactions is considered for solar H2 production, comprising the endothermal dissociation of ZnO followed by the exothermal hydrolysis of Zn. A solar-driven thermogravimeter, in which a packed-bed of ZnO particles is directly exposed to concentrated solar radiation at a peak solar concentration ratio of 2400 suns while its weight loss is continuously monitored, was applied to measure the thermal dissociation rate in a set-up closely approximating the heat and mass transfer characteristics of solar reactors. Isothermal thermogravimetric runs were performed in the range 1834,2109 K and fitted to a zero-order Arrhenius rate law with apparent activation energy 361 ± 53 kJ mol,1 K,1 and frequency factor 14.03 × 106 ± 2.73 × 106 kg m,2 s,1. Application of L,vov's kinetic expression for solid decomposition along with a convective mass transport correlation yielded kinetic parameters in close agreement with those derived from experimental data. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Photodegradation of Methanol Under UV,Visible Irradiation by Titania Dispersed on Polyester ClothPHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Kaustava Bhattacharyya Titania supported on polyester fabric (TiO2,PY) with varying titania loadings (2,7 wt%) were prepared via the dip-coating method at room temperature using an aqueous slurry of anatase titania. Structural and morphological characterizations by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the titanium dioxide crystallites deposited on the surface of the polyester fabric were in the micrometer range while their phase remained to be anatase. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2,PY fabric catalysts was evaluated for vapor-phase oxidation of methanol in air as a test reaction in the presence of UV as well as solar radiation under ambient conditions. These catalysts were found to be quite active in both UV and solar irradiation with activity being higher in the former case. CO2 yield from photo-oxidation of methanol depended on titania content and also on its dispersion over polyester fabric support. [source] Dermal contributions to UVA-induced oxidative stress in skinPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 2 2009Hao Ou-Yang Background: When the skin is exposed to solar irradiation, UVA photons interact with skin tissues and induce excessive reactive oxygen species, resulting in oxidative stress. We have shown in a previous study that in vivo chemiluminescence's measurement can be used to evaluate the overall level of UVA-induced oxidative stress in human skin. However, the origin of the observed chemiluminescence signals remains unclear. Methods: UVA-induced chemiluminescence measurements were conducted: (a) in vitro on collagen solutions and solid collagen sheet preparations, (b) ex vivo on human and mouse skin biopsies, and (c) in vivo on human skin of various constitutive pigmentation levels. Fluorescence was measured on collagen in vitro as well as on skin for the in vivo experiments. Results: We found in the in vitro experiments that UVA-induced chemiluminescence increases with the presence of collagen cross-links. When dermal sides were exposed to UVA irradiation, both mouse and human skin biopsies demonstrated significantly higher chemiluminescence levels than when epidermal sides were exposed to UVA. The amount of collagen cross-links decreases slightly following UVA exposure, as shown both by in vivo fluorescence and by UVA-induced chemiluminescence. Finally, there was less measurable UVA-induced chemiluminescence in dark skin compared with light pigmented skin in vivo. Conclusions: The dermis is very sensitive to UVA photons. Dermal cross-links are potential UVA sensitizers. The oxidative stress induced by UVA and measured by chemiluminescence may largely be attributed to the breakdown of dermal collagen cross-links. [source] Effects of CO2 and dust on present-day solar radiation and climate on MarsTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 611 2005Hannu Savijärvi Abstract A comprehensive spectrum-resolving radiative transfer model (SRM) was used to simulate the average, present-day, solar radiation field on Mars. A CO2 -only 6 hPa Martian atmosphere absorbs about 1% of zenith solar radiation, producing a modest heating rate of 4,5 K day,1 in the lowest 10 km. The trace gases have an insignificant effect but airborne dust reduces the downwelling solar flux effectively, and the reflected flux somewhat less. This produces an anti-greenhouse trend (cooling at the surface, warming within the atmosphere, reflection at the top), which increases strongly with the dust load. For instance, with dust visible optical depth of unity and sun in zenith, the surface solar irradiation is attenuated by 26% and the solar heating rate increases to about 70 K day,1 in the lowest 25 km. The numbers are however strongly dependent on the optical properties of the dust, which are not known very well. Several fast two-stream methods for dust were compared with the SRM results. Their common systematic errors were reduced by a simple, physically-based correction. The global albedo of Mars was then studied as a function of dust load, dust optics and surface albedo. The crossover from added airborne dust tending to make the whole planet look whiter or darker occurred at surface albedo of about 35%, nearly independently of the dust load. We demonstrate, however, that this value is sensitive to the optical properties of the assumed dust. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Vitamin D and systemic cancer: is this relevant to malignant melanoma?BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2002J.E. Osborne Summary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] is a well-known potent regulator of cell growth and differentiation and there is recent evidence of an effect on cell death, tumour invasion and angiogenesis, which makes it a candidate agent for cancer regulation. The classical synthetic pathway of 1,25(OH)2D3 involves 25- and 1,-hydroxylation of vitamin D3, in the liver and kidney, respectively, of absorbed or skin-synthesized vitamin D3. There is recent focus on the importance in growth control of local metabolism of 1,25(OH)2D3, which is a function of local tissue synthetic hydroxylases and particularly the principal catabolizing enzyme, 24-hydroxylase. The classical signalling pathway of 1,25(OH)2D3 employs the vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR), which is a transcription factor for 1,25(OH)2D3 target genes. Effects of this pathway include inhibition of cellular growth and invasion. Cytoplasmic signalling pathways are increasingly being recognized, which similarly may regulate growth and differentiation but also apoptosis. 1,25(OH)2D3 has a major inhibitory effect on the G1/S checkpoint of the cell cycle by upregulating the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors p27 and p21, and by inhibiting cyclin D1. Indirect mechanisms include upregulation of transforming growth factor-, and downregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. 1,25(OH)2D3 may induce apoptosis either indirectly through effects on the insulin-like growth receptor and tumour necrosis factor-, or more directly via the Bcl-2 family system, the ceramide pathway, the death receptors (e.g. Fas) and the stress-activated protein kinase pathways (Jun N terminal kinase and p38). Inhibition of tumour invasion and metastasis potential has been demonstrated and mechanisms include inhibition of serine proteinases, metalloproteinases and angiogenesis. The lines of evidence for an effect of vitamin D3 in systemic cancer are the laboratory demonstration of relevant effects on cellular growth, differentiation, apoptosis, malignant cell invasion and metastasis; epidemiological findings of an association of the occurrence and outcome of cancers with derangements of vitamin D3/1,25(OH)2D3 and the association of functional polymorphisms of the VDR with the occurrence of certain cancers. In addition, vitamin D3 analogues are being developed as cancer chemotherapy agents. There is accumulating evidence that the vitamin D3/1,25(OH)2D3/VDR axis is similarly important in malignant melanoma (MM). MM cells express the VDR, and the antiproliferative and prodifferentiation effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 have been shown in cultured melanocytes, MM cells and MM xenografts. Recently, an inhibitory effect on the spread of MM cells has been demonstrated, low serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 have been reported in MM patients and the VDR polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with both the occurrence and outcome of MM. The relationship between solar irradiation and MM is more complex than for the systemic cancers. As in other cancers, there is evidence of a protective effect of vitamin D3 in MM, but ultraviolet radiation, which is a principal source of vitamin D3, is mutagenic. Further work is necessary on the influence of serum vitamin D3 levels on the occurrence and prognosis of MM, the effects of sun protection measures on serum vitamin D3 levels in temperate climates and epidemiological studies on geographical factors and skin type on the prognosis of MM. Meanwhile, it would seem mandatory to ensure an adequate vitamin D3 status if sun exposure were seriously curtailed, certainly in relation to carcinoma of breast, prostate and colon and probably also MM. [source] Sm3+ -Doped Bi2O3 Photocatalyst Prepared by Hydrothermal SynthesisCHEMCATCHEM, Issue 4 2009Jakkidi Krishna, Reddy Abstract Bi2O3 and Sm3+ -doped Bi2O3 visible-light-active photocatalysts with different Sm3+ loadings (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0,wt,%) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The structural properties of the prepared catalysts were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance (DRS), FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopic techniques. The XRD spectra of the Sm-doped Bi2O3 catalysts calcined at 550,°C show only the characteristic peaks of Bi2O3. A high red shift in the range 450,600,nm was detected in the DRS band, leading to a large decrease in the band-gap energy from 2.82 to 2.0,eV. This red shift increased with increasing Sm content. XPS results revealed that Sm interacted with Bi2O3, wherein both Bi and Sm were in the +3 oxidation state. The photocatalytic activities of the catalysts were evaluated for the degradation of methylene blue and phenol under solar irradiation. Of all of the catalysts prepared, the Sm3+ -doped Bi2O3 with a Sm loading of 1,wt,% gave the best photocatalytic activity. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||